‘KSO Goes to the Movies’ to tempt concertgoers March 8 with auction of ‘Starry Night’ violin

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 8, in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall of the NIU Music Building.

Music planned for the family concert includes works from movie favorites such as “Star Wars,” “Harry Potter,” “Lord of the Rings,” “Apollo 13,” “Les Misérables,” “The Pink Panther,” “West Side Story,” “Batman,” “Spiderman” and more, with selected movie clips. Concert patrons are encouraged to dress in costume of their favorite movie characters.

Created by local and regional artists, the hand-painted, salvaged violins are one-of-a-kind art pieces.

Nancy Long, art teacher at North Grove Elementary School in Sycamore, painted a violin in the style of Vincent van Gogh’s painting, “Starry Night.”

“I decided to do the ‘Starry Night’ theme because of the curves and swirls in the design of the violin,” she said.

Sycamore Middle School art instructor Anna Zantout drew inspiration from a few of the movie theme selections being played in the concert. Her violin is painted with the characters of Pink Panther, James Bond and Spiderman.

The auction will also include various baskets and a table with items of children’s interest. All proceeds will benefit Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra, a 501(c)(3) organization.

Tickets are $15 per person and will be available at the door prior to the concert and sold in advance at: